UNESCO promoting discussions on the role and challenges of museums in multi-ethnic communities in Kyrgyzstan

The experts and representatives of more than 20 museums from the six provinces of Kyrgyzstan, as well as the representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic met to discuss issues related to "Empowerment of multiethnic communities through museums management and awareness-raising on cultural heritage: challenges and experience”. The one-day national Round Table was organized in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 28 November by the UNESCO Almaty Cluster Office in partnership with the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO and with financial support from the Swiss government.

The main purpose of the round table was to increase the knowledge of the Kyrgyz national museums’ staff about the role of museums in safeguarding cultural heritage, in particular in multi-ethnic communities, and in serving as a platform for activities related to education, cultural exchanges, tourism and dialogue.

The participants also discussed issues related to the management of the museums, such as the development of new approaches to attract visitors, tourists and youth, as well as the protection of heritage collections during emergency situations.

Discussions revealed that museums’ staff have a clear understanding of the need for the museums to innovate, evolve and transform so as to be able to capture the imagination of the public of the twenty-first century.

The round table was but the first step in UNESCO’s resolve to step up its support for the museums in Kyrgyzstan and the themes identified for future capacity-building activities range from alternative ways of financing and education activities targeting the youth to the use of ICT (information and computer technologies) in the promotion of museums’ work and collections.